Paint scraping receptacle

ABSTRACT

A paint scraping receptacle is disclosed that includes a body that defines an aperture. The body functions as a receptacle or container for paint scrapings from ceilings and walls. The body has sidewalls that include a flexible barrier that can be positioned directly against a wall or ceiling. The paint scraping receptacle is positioned under the surface to be scraped and the flexible barrier is positioned against the ceiling. The scraper is utilized through the flexible barrier to scrape the ceiling. The paint chips fall into the paint scraping receptacle and the flexible barrier limits and retains the flow of airborne paint, dust, dirt and other particles created by the paint scraping process. The paint scraping receptacle can also include a detachable brush and a mount for holding the body at a desired height and angle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional application 60/897,869 filed Jan. 29, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to devices for controlling paint scrapings and in particular to a receptacle for receiving paint scrapings.

2. Description of the Related Art

The paint scraping process is arduous particularly for hard to reach areas high on walls and ceilings. The paint scraping process not only produces large sized paint scrapings, but it can also produce fine particles of the paint, painted surface and/or other materials that have collected on the surface. Large drop cloths are typically used to collect the large paint scrapings and the paint scrapings that fall directly to the ground, but the fine particles frequently become airborne and are spread throughout the vicinity and beyond the drop cloth by the flow of air. The common result is a fine layer of particles is deposited throughout the adjoining vicinity of the area being scraped that can penetrate into rugs, furniture and inside cabinets.

A device is needed that can readily receive paint scrapings such as paint chips and limit the flow of airborne particles from paint scraping into a common receptacle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A paint scraping receptacle is disclosed that comprises a body that includes at least one sidewall and a bottom wall that define an open ended container. A proximal end portion of the sidewall is connected to the bottom wall. A distal end portion of the sidewall includes an edge. The bottom wall and the sidewall of the body define an aperture. The bottom wall defines a terminal end of the aperture. A flexible barrier is connected to the distal end portion of the sidewall. The body and the flexible barrier are adapted to receive and retain paint scrapings. The flexible barrier has an approximately annular structure that is adapted to resiliently interface with an external structure.

The paint scraping receptacle further includes a handle that is connected to the body. The handle can be connected to the bottom wall. The handle includes a connector that is adapted to receive an external device such as an additional elongate handle. The flexible barrier can be a set of bristles. The body can also include a separate brush. The brush includes a handle and a flexible barrier. The brush connects and disconnects to the body. The flexible barrier of the brush is the flexible barrier of the sidewall. The flexible barrier of the brush can also be a separate flexible barrier from the flexible barrier of the sidewall. The body is at least partially translucent. The body can also be at least partially transparent.

The paint scraping receptacle can further include a mount. The mount includes a joint, a pole and a base. The body connects to the joint of the mount. The joint provides for the three dimensional pivotal rotation of the body. The pole connects the joint and the base. The paint scraping receptacle can further include a cover that connects to the body and encloses the contents of the paint scraping receptacle.

A paint scraping receptacle is disclosed that comprises a body that includes at least one sidewall and a bottom wall. The sidewall includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The bottom wall is connected to the proximal end portion of the sidewall and the distal end portion of the sidewall includes an edge. The bottom wall and sidewall define an open ended body that is a container. The bottom defines a terminal end of the aperture. A flexible barrier is connected to the distal end portion of the sidewall. The flexible barrier includes a set of bristles. The flexible barrier has an approximately annular structure that defines an opening of the aperture in the body and is adapted to resiliently interface with an external structure. The body and the flexible barrier are adapted to retain paint scrapings. A brush that connects and disconnects to the body, the brush includes a handle and a flexible barrier.

The paint scraping receptacle can further include a mount. The mount includes a joint, a pole and a base. The joint connects to and provides for the three dimensional pivotal rotation of the body relative to the mount. The joint connects the body and the mount. The pole connects the joint and the base. The paint scraping receptacle can further include a cover that connects to the body and encloses the contents of the paint scraping receptacle.

A paint scraping receptacle that receives and retains paint scrapings is disclosed that comprises a body that includes at least one sidewall and a bottom wall. The sidewall includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The bottom wall is connected to the proximal end portion of the sidewall. The distal end portion of the sidewall includes an edge. The bottom wall and sidewall define an open ended body that is a container. The bottom wall defines a terminal end of the aperture and the opposed edge of the sidewall defines an opening of the aperture in the body. The body is adapted to receive and retain paint scrapings. A set of bristles is connected to the distal end portion of the sidewall in proximity to the edge. The set of bristles has an approximately annular structure. The set of bristles is adapted to resiliently interface with an external structure and the set of bristles is adapted to limit the flow of airborne particles from the body. A handle is connected to the body that includes an approximately spherical portion. A mount connects to the body that includes a joint, a pole and a base. The joint includes a connector that is a socket that connects to the spherical portion of the handle and provides three dimensional pivotal rotation of the body relative to the mount. The pole connects the joint and the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, wherein like numerals are used to refer to the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a front and top perspective view of a paint scraping receptacle constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side and top perspective view of a second embodiment of the paint scraping receptacle of FIG. 1 that further includes a brush, the paint scraping receptacle also includes an alternative structure;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the paint scraping receptacle of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the paint scraping apparatus of FIG. 2 with the brush detached;

FIG. 5 is a front and top perspective view of another alternative structure of the paint scraping receptacle of FIG. 1, the paint scraping receptacle adapted to interface with an inwardly extending portion of a ceiling;

FIG. 6 is a side view of an additional alternative structure of the paint scraping receptacle of FIG. 1, the paint scraping receptacle adapted to interface with an inwardly extending portion of a ceiling;

FIG. 7 is a top and side perspective view of the paint scraping receptacle of FIG. 1 that further includes a mount, the mounted paint scraping receptacle adapted to interface with a flat portion of a ceiling; and

FIG. 8 is close-up side view of a joint of the mount of FIG. 7 showing one preferred embodiment of the connection between the body and mount of the paint scraping receptacle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a paint scraping receptacle 10 includes a body 12 that is a container. Body 12 includes one or more first sidewalls 14, a second sidewall 16 and an edge 18. An aperture 20 of body 12 is defined by sidewalls 14, second sidewall 16 and edge 18. In this preferred embodiment, second sidewall 16 is a proximal bottom wall that is connected to a proximal portion of sidewall 14 that is opposed to a distal edge 18. Body 12 defines a longitudinal axis-X between first side 16 and the center of aperture 20.

Sidewall 14 connects to a flexible barrier 22 that is a resilient structure. Flexible barrier 22 can be monolithically formed with or integrally connected to sidewall 14. Flexible barrier 22 is resilient transverse to the longitudinal axis and is preferably also resilient in the direction of the longitudinal axis. In this preferred embodiment flexible barrier 22 is a set of two inch long bristles arranged in three to five rows. It is understood, however, that flexible barrier 22 can have any length, arrangement, structure or dimension that assists in the retaining of paint scrapings in paint scraping receptacle 10. The opening of aperture 20 in body 12 is defined by edge 18 and/or flexible barrier 22.

Flexible barrier 22 is adapted to provide a barrier interface between body 12 and an external structure. The materials of construction of flexible barrier 22 can include for example synthetic and natural hairs commonly used in brushes as well as synthetic and natural materials that can create a flexible resilient barrier such as a sheet of resilient polymer, foam, sponge, fabrics and/or other materials that can include folds or bends, for example, to create the resilient structure. In addition, flexible barrier 22 can include a joint that provides resilient flexibility.

A handle 24 can be selectively included with body 12 that aids in the holding of paint scraping receptacle 10. In this preferred embodiment, handle 24 is shown extending from first side 16 and including a neck and a spherical knob, but handle 24 can take any structural shape and be connected to body 12 at any point. Continuing with the preferred embodiment of handle 24, the neck positions the knob at a predetermined distance from first sidewall 14 and/or second sidewall 16 of body 12. Handle 24 is preferably made of the same material as body 12 and can further include an ergonomic construction that considers, for example, the size and material considerations for ease of holding. In one alternative embodiment of handle 24, the knob has a soft rubber or polymer exterior surface that can further include undulations and/or texturing. Handle 24 can be permanently connected to body 12 or an assembly that is selectively connected and disconnected with body 12.

Body 12 can have any shape that can receive and retain paint scrapings. In this preferred embodiment, body 12 defines a concave hemispherical shaped open container without sharp edges 18 or corners, but body 12 can define any shape that functions as a container and defines an aperture 20 to include, for example, a cone, a cylinder, a box or a pyramid. Similarly, edge 18 can define a perimeter that has any two-dimensional or three-dimensional shape such as arcuate, a quadrangle, or hexagonal, for example.

Body 12 can be made of materials such as polymers, composites, metals, fibers, cellulose, glass and natural materials that include straw and/or rubber. Body 12 can be transparent, translucent and/or opaque. For example, body 12 can be an opaque structure and include a window portion that is transparent. Paint scraping receptacle 10 can be a disposable or reusable product. While body 12 has sufficient structural integrity to define a container, body 12 can also be resilient or include resilient portions. Body 12 is constructed to retain solid materials that range in size from particulates to elongate paint scrapings, but it can also be selectively constructed as a structure for the filtering of air and retention of paint scrapings as fine as particulates as well as the retention of liquids.

As shown in FIG. 2, paint scraping receptacle 10 in a second embodiment has an elongate truncated tubular structure. Flexible barrier 22 includes a set of bristles on the first set of two of adjacent sidewalls 14. Flexible barrier 22 of the opposing second set of two adjacent sidewalls 14 is a portion of sidewall 14 that extends to approximately the height of the set of bristles/flexible barrier 22 of the first set of sidewalls. In this preferred embodiment, the second set of opposing two sidewalls 14 in proximity to edge 18 form a barrier 22 that is preferably tapered in proximity to edge 18.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in this preferred embodiment of body 12, paint scraping receptacle 10 includes a brush 26 that can be connected and disconnected from body 12. Brush 26 has a handle 28 and a flexible barrier 30 that is preferably a plurality of bristles. Body 12 and brush 26 connect together using standard commercial fasteners such as a snap-fit. Flexible barrier 30 of brush 26 can be the flexible barrier 22 of paint scraping receptacle 10 or a separate additional flexible barrier 22. Brush 26 can extend the full length or a portion of sidewall 14.

Handle 24 of body 12 preferably includes a connector 32. Connector 32 in this preferred embodiment is a female threaded connector that can engage with a standard elongate extension such as a broom handle with a distal connector that includes a male threaded end, for example. Connector 32 is shown aligned with longitudinal axis-X, but it is understood that handle and/or connector 32 can also be transverse to the longitudinal axis.

As shown in FIG. 4 and continuing with this preferred embodiment of body 12, flexible barrier 22 has a gap when brush 26 is disconnected. Brush 26 can be used separately when paint scraping receptacle 10 is not in use or in conjunction with paint scraping receptacle 10.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in order to maintain flexible barrier 22 in direct contact with ceiling 5 in operation, paint scraping receptacle 10 can have a broad range of shapes of sidewalls 14 and edges 18 as well as structures of flexible barriers 22. In this preferred embodiment, body 12 has an overall hexagonal shape and edges 18 are contoured with a central notch into a first set of opposed sidewalls 14. The notch defines the bottom edge 18 in the first set of sidewalls 14 that has a lower height than edge 18 of a second set of opposed adjacent sidewalls 14. This structure allows paint scraping receptacle 10 to receive a downwardly directed apex or corner of a ceiling 5 and for flexible barrier 22 to maintain contact with the ceiling 5 surfaces during operational use. Ceiling 5 as defined herein can include walls and ceilings.

As shown in FIG. 6, paint scraping receptacle 10 includes the first set of opposed sidewalls 14 with a central extension and the second set of opposed sidewalls 14 with a shorter height. This structure of paint scraping receptacle 10 allows for flexible barrier 22 to maintain contact with an upwardly directed apex or corner of ceiling 5. The varying structural shapes of paint scraping receptacle 10 and lengths of flexible barrier 22 are configured to maintain flexible barrier 22 in contact with ceiling 5 throughout the paint scraping process and use of paint scraping receptacle 10.

Referring now to FIG. 2, in addition either of the sets of sidewalls 14 can fit directly into a wall or a corner of a wall adjacent ceiling 5 and protect the wall from the scraping process and dust. In particular, the tapered edge 18 of at least one of the second set of sidewalls can be advantageously employed to abut a wall or a corner of a wall adjacent to ceiling 5 and provide a solid walled flexible barrier 22.

As shown in FIG. 7, paint scraping receptacle 10 can selectively include a mount 34 that has a base 36, a pole 38 and a joint 40. Base 36 provides a stable support for mount 34 throughout the range of motion of paint scraping receptacle 10 and can be additionally stabilized by weighting or legs that extend outward. Pole 38 can be a simple rod or an extendable pole using means known for extending such as telescoping and a locking mechanism to secure pole 38 at a desired height.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, joint 40 connects with and provides for the rotation of body 12 about pole 38 as well as rotation in a plane defined by longitudinal axis-X and pole 38. In the preferred embodiment, joint 40 includes a connector 42 that is a spherical socket that receives the spherical knob of handle 24 in a close fitting relation. Connector or socket 42 is lined with a pliable material such as rubber or a soft polymer that engages with the spherical knob of handle 24 and fixes handle 24 in position at any angle of paint scraping receptacle 10 relative to mount 34. The lining of socket 42 can include surface treatments such as undulations, detents and/or knurling that is constructed to engage with and fix the knob of handle 24 at a selected angle and accommodate the positioning of body 12 at the desired angle when connected to mount 34.

Socket 42 includes a wall that has an upper edge or rim. Socket 42 is biased to an initial position without handle 24 and resiliently expands to receive handle 24 in a second position. In the second position of socket 42 with the knob positioned in socket 42, the rim and wall of socket 42 includes a notch 44 that can receive the neck of handle 24 so as to provide for an increase in the angular range of mount 34. Notch 44 of socket 42 can also provide a stress relief mechanism during the positioning of handle 24 in socket 42. Mount 34 advantageously allows for paint scraping receptacle 10 to interface with ceilings 5 at any angle as well as walls.

It is understood that joint 40 and connector 42 provide for the coupling and angular positioning of body 12 and that joint 40 can is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, connector 42 can include a male threaded connector that interfaces with a female threaded connector in handle 24 as shown in FIG. 3 or directly with body 12. Similarly, the angular position of body 12 relative to mount 34 can be fixed in a desired position using any of a broad range of locking mechanisms that can use friction and/or threaded bolts, for example, to secure the position of body 12 in joint 40 at a given angle relative to ceiling 5.

Paint scraping receptacle 10 in operation can be manually held by handle 24, by the use of an extension such as an elongate broom handle or using mount 34. A portion of the ceiling is selected for scraping and paint scraping receptacle 10 is held in position with flexible barrier 22 preferably in continuous direct contact around the selected portion of the ceiling. A scraper 5 is then introduced through flexible barrier 22 or in a gap in flexible barrier 22 to scrape the portion of the ceiling bounded by paint scraping receptacle 10. Visibility for scraping can be provided through a transparent window of or transparent paint scraping receptacle 10 or by viewing over and between portions of flexible barrier 22. The paint scrapings from scraper 5 fall from the ceiling into paint scraping receptacle 10. Paint scrapings as defined herein includes the different sized pieces of paint, wallboard, plaster, dirt and dust that are scraped and separated from the ceiling during a scraping process. Flexible barrier 22 provides an annular structure that interfaces with the ceiling to make a barrier that contains and limits the flow of the paint scrapings that become airborne during the paint scraping process.

Paint scraping receptacle can be structured to include gaps in the annular structure of flexible barrier 22 for the insertion of a tool such as scraper 5 and/or brush 26, but the structure of flexible barrier 22 is such that it will maintain a substantial interface with the ceiling even if the tool is inserted through flexible barrier 22. Paint scraping receptacle 10 can also include a cover that can be securely positioned along edge 18 to seal in the paint scrapings for disposal. This can be particularly advantageous when paint scraping receptacle 10 is a disposable device.

In the preceding specification, the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will be evident, however, that various modifications, combinations and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. For example, it is understood that the size, material, angle and structure of flexible barrier 22 can vary depending upon the intended application of paint scraping receptacle 10. Similarly brush 26 can have a variety of shapes and be used separately or as part of the paint scraping and/or cleaning process. In addition, though the present invention is described in terms of a series of embodiments, each embodiment of the present invention can combine one or more novel features of the other embodiments. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative manner rather than a restrictive sense. 

1. A paint scraping receptacle that comprises: a body that includes at least one sidewall and a bottom wall, the sidewall and the bottom wall define an open ended container, a proximal end portion of the sidewall is connected to the bottom, a distal end portion of the sidewall includes an edge, the bottom and sidewall of the body define an aperture, the bottom defines a terminal end of the aperture; and a flexible barrier connected to the distal end portion of the sidewall, the body and flexible barrier adapted to receive and retain paint scrapings, the flexible barrier has an approximately annular structure adapted to resiliently interface with an external structure.
 2. The paint scraping receptacle of claim 1 that further includes a handle, the handle connected to the body.
 3. The paint scraping receptacle of claim 2, wherein the handle includes a connector that is adapted to receive an extension.
 4. The paint scraping receptacle of claim 1, wherein the flexible barrier is a set of bristles.
 5. The paint scraping receptacle of claim 1, wherein the body includes a brush, the brush includes a handle and a flexible barrier, the brush connects and disconnects to the body.
 6. The paint scraping receptacle of claim 5, wherein the flexible barrier of the brush is the flexible barrier of the sidewall.
 7. The paint scraping receptacle of claim 5, wherein the flexible barrier of the brush is a separate flexible barrier from the flexible barrier of the sidewall.
 8. The paint scraping receptacle of claim 1, wherein the body is at least partially translucent.
 9. The paint scraping receptacle of claim 1, wherein the body is at least partially transparent.
 10. The paint scraping receptacle of claim 1, wherein the body connects to a mount, the mount includes a joint, a pole and a base, the joint provides for the three dimensional pivotal rotation of the body, the joint connects the body and the mount, the pole connects the joint and the base.
 11. The paint scraping receptacle of claim 1 that further includes a cover that connects to the body and encloses the contents of the paint scraping receptacle.
 12. A paint scraping receptacle for receiving and retaining paint scrapings, the paint scraping receptacle comprises: a body that includes at least one sidewall and a bottom wall, the sidewall includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the bottom wall connected to the proximal end portion of the sidewall, the distal end portion of the sidewall includes an edge, the bottom and sidewall define an open ended container; the bottom defines a terminal end of the aperture; a flexible barrier connected to the distal end portion of the sidewall, the body and flexible barrier adapted to receive and retain paint scrapings the flexible barrier includes a set of bristles, the flexible barrier has an approximately annular structure adapted o resiliently interface with an external structure; and a brush that connects and disconnects to the body, the brush includes a handle and a flexible barrier.
 13. The paint scraping receptacle of claim 12, wherein the body is at least partially translucent.
 14. The paint scraping receptacle of claim 12, wherein the body is at least partially transparent.
 15. The paint scraping receptacle of claim 12 that further includes a mount, the mount includes a joint, a pole and a base, the joint connects to the body and provides three dimensional pivotal rotation of the body relative to the mount, the pole connects the joint and the base.
 16. The paint scraping receptacle of claim 12 that further includes a cover that connects to the body and encloses the contents of the paint scraping receptacle.
 17. The paint scraping receptacle of claim 12, wherein the body includes a handle.
 18. The paint scraping receptacle of claim 12, wherein the flexible barrier of the brush is the flexible barrier of the sidewall.
 19. The paint scraping receptacle of claim 12, wherein the flexible barrier of the brush is a separate flexible barrier from the flexible barrier of the sidewall.
 20. A paint scraping receptacle for receiving and retaining paint scrapings, the paint scraping receptacle comprises: a body that includes at least one sidewall and a bottom wall, the sidewall includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the bottom wall connected to the proximal end portion of the sidewall, the distal end portion of the sidewall includes an edge, the bottom and sidewall define an open ended container; the bottom defines a terminal end of the aperture and the opposed edge of the sidewall defines an opening of the aperture in the body; a set of bristles connected to the distal end portion of the sidewall in proximity to the edge, the set of bristles has an approximately annular structure, the set of bristles adapted to resiliently interface with an external structure, the body and the set of bristles adapted receive and retain paint scrapings; a handle connected to the body, the handle including an approximately spherical portion; and a mount that includes a joint, a pole and a base, the joint includes a connector that is a socket that connects to the spherical portion of the handle and provides three dimensional pivotal rotation of the body relative to the mount, the pole connects the joint and the base. 